by Max Marbut
Staff Writer
If you’ve been overhearing conversations on the street or in a restaurant this week that seemed a little more “educated” than is the norm, it might be because a group of more than 750 doctoral degree candidates have been having a convention of sorts at the Hyatt Regency Riverfront.
Actually, what they’re having is called a “Ph.D. Colloquium.” It’s an opportunity for students to enhance their education, meet face-to-face and network with their colleagues. The personal contact part is particularly important because the group in Jacksonville this week is part of a student body of more than 28,000 people worldwide who are working toward degrees on-line at Capella University.
Referred to as “learners” instead of “students” Capella’s enrollees don’t fit the traditional mold of collegians, said Capella University President Dr. Christopher Cassirer.
“We call them ‘learners’ because lifelong learning is a critical part of remaining competitive in the workplace and in tough economic times people want to earn advanced degrees,” he added.
The average age of a Capella learner is 39 years with a range of 19-92 years of age. Nine percent live in Florida and 14 percent are affiliated with the military. Females account for 70 percent of the enrollment and 45 percent are learners of color. Only 8 percent are full-time students and 82 percent are enrolled in postgraduate programs in business, information technology, public administration and public safety.
“Our learners are predominantly working professionals who are balancing priorities,” said Cassirer, who also said the university’s Internet servers have the most traffic at 11 p.m.
On the academic and faculty side, of Capella’s 1,050 on-line professors, 81 percent have doctoral degrees and they live in 49 states and 9 foreign countries. The university’s catalog offers more than 1,000 courses, 28 degree programs and 123 specializations. Capella is based in Minneapolis, Minn. and was founded 16 years ago. It’s accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
“Our graduates are doing some powerful and wonderful things,” said Cassirer. In addition to working in all areas of government and industry, “We have more than 1,000 graduates teaching at institutions of higher learning including the Ivy League. We believe everyone has the right to succeed at higher education,” he added.
Earning a college degree on the Internet becomes the best option for more people each year and is particularly attractive to those who already have a career and a family and all the attendant obligations. Cassirer believes that trend will continue and pointed out high-tech education is also part of the experience at traditional colleges and universities.
“There has been a revolution in higher education,” he said. “Ninety-five percent of all universities deliver some portion of their curriculum on-line.”
Capella University has been coming to Jacksonville and staying at the Hyatt at least once a year since 2005 and the university held its commencement ceremony in Jacksonville for the first time last year. The graduates strolled down the Northbank Riverwalk to the T-U Center where they received their diplomas.
Cassirer said Capella has found a home in the city and at the hotel.
“We couldn’t be treated better than we are at the Hyatt and Jacksonville is a great city. It’s convenient, it’s warm and welcoming and it’s multicultural. Plus there’s just enough entertainment to go out and have a good time at night without losing your focus on education,” he commented.
According to Hyatt General Manager Dan King hosting large groups like Capella University’s 900 guests including students and staff members is usually easier to manage than accomodating several smaller groups when a hotel has 966 rooms and 110,000 square feet of meeting space.
“We can provide them our undivided attention,” he said. “It’s also very convenient for everyone to be under one roof with rooms, restaurants and meeting facilities.”
King also said a group as large as Capella University has a tremendous impact on the local economy that goes beyond the hotel’s bottom line.
“They have breakfast and lunch with us, but they go out to restaurants all over town for dinner.”
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